Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer, it’s been revealed.
Clarkson shared word of his diagnosis in just-released episodes of Clarkson’s Farm, his hit Prime Video series that’s now in its fifth season. Describing the illness as still “really early,” Clarkson is seen telling friends and then heading for hospital treatment — which he then reveals has gone “awry.”
“If this is all successful,” Clarkson comments at one point, “I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I wont. Take care everyone.”
The episodes, filmed last year, are the first time Clarkson has revealed his cancer diagnosis. The series previously featured health issues faced by Clarkson in late 2024, when he underwent surgery for a blocked artery.
“Ordinarily we try to keep the show bucolic and charming and cheerful, but the final two episodes which drop in the middle of the night tonight are none of those things, really,” Clarkson said today in a brief statement via his Instagram. “They’re a difficult watch,” he continued, becoming visibly emotional. “They’re really, really difficult.”
The presenter has so far made no further comment on the condition, or his current health.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, and typically develops after the age of 50. Often it is characterized as a slow-growing form of the disease, though more aggressive examples require urgent treatment to avoid the cancer spreading further. Typically this will mean surgery to remove the prostate gland, followed by radiation therapy.
Clarkson is best known for his time spent hosting the hugely-successful car show Top Gear, as well as his subsequent Prime Video series The Grand Tour. He is also currently the UK host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and its spinoff Millionaire Hot Seat.
Image credit: James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
